Compositions and methods for improving the quality of processed sperm

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for the handling of processed sperm populations including samples that are freshly collected, those transported as fresh samples, as well as samples that are frozen and thawed, those sorted into one or more subpopulations, and those that are otherwise processed or handled that impose trauma on the sperm cell. Such trauma can reduce the motility, fertility, viability and overall integrity of the sperm and reduce the sperm's ability to fertilize an egg, grow into a health embryo and produce a healthy offspring. The present invention relates to novel compounds that can be added to the sperm cell sample to reduce the traumatic effects of physical stress during mild as well as extensive sperm cell processing, methods of using the compounds in standard sperm processing procedures, the end products made from these methods including sperm and embryos, as well as methods of using those end products in assisted reproductive biology techniques in animals.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A sperm cell composition comprising a sperm cell sample and vitamin B12, or a vitamin B12 vitamer, at a concentration of 0.01 mg/ml to 1 mg/ml. 
     
     
       2. The sperm cell composition of  claim 1 , further comprising alpha ketoglutarate at a concentration of 0.01 mg/ml to 5 mg/ml. 
     
     
       3. The sperm cell composition of  claim 2 , wherein the concentration of the added alpha ketoglutarate is selected from the group consisting of: 0.01 to 5.0 mg/ml; 0.01 to 0.25 mg/ml; 0.01 to 0.5 mg/ml; 0.01 to 1 mg/ml; 0.01 to 2.5 mg/ml; 0.01 to 5 mg/ml; 0.05 to 0.1 mg/ml; 0.05 to 1.0 mg/ml; 0.05 to 2.5 mg/ml; 0.1 to 0.25 mg/ml; 0.1 to 0.5 mg/ml; 0.1 to 1 mg/ml; 0.1 to 2.5 mg/ml; 0.1 to 5 mg/ml; 0.15 to 0.45 mg/ml; 0.15 to 0.5 mg/ml; 0.25 to 0.35 mg/ml; 0.25 to 0.5 mg/ml; 0.25 to 1 mg/ml; 0.25 to 2.5 mg/ml; 0.25 to 5 mg/ml; 0.35 to 0.5 mg/ml; 0.35 to 1 mg/ml; 0.35 to 2.5 mg/ml; 0.35 to 5 mg/ml; 0.5 to 1 mg/ml; 0.5 to 2.5 mg/ml; 0.5 to 5 mg/ml; 1 to 2.5 mg/ml; and 1 to 5 mg/ml. 
     
     
       4. The sperm cell composition of  claim 2 , wherein the concentration of the vitamin B12, or vitamin B12 vitamer, or alpha ketoglutarate, is selected from the group consisting of: 0.05 mg/ml; 0.1 mg/ml; 0.15 mg/ml; 0.25 mg/ml; 0.35 mg/ml; 0.45 mg/ml; and 0.5 mg/ml. 
     
     
       5. The sperm cell composition of  claim 2 , wherein the concentration of the vitamin B12, or vitamin B12 vitamer, or alpha ketoglutarate, is selected from the group consisting of: 0.15 mg/ml; 0.25 mg/ml; and 0.35 mg/ml. 
     
     
       6. The sperm cell composition of  claim 2 , wherein the sperm cell composition is cryopreserved. 
     
     
       7. The sperm cell composition of  claim 2 , wherein the sperm cell sample is derived from a human, bovine, swine, ovine, equine, deer, elk, buffalo, canine, feline, chimpanzee or gorilla, or whale, dolphin or other marine mammal.